The dungeon collapsed around them. The walls crumbled as the last remnants of the heart shattered, releasing a surge of energy that threatened to tear everything apart. Jaeho barely managed to steady himself as the ground beneath his feet cracked, the air thick with the echo of destruction. Kyra, her expression taut with concentration, grabbed hold of the nearest pillar to keep herself upright.
The Cursed Beast, now standing at Jaeho's side, growled low, its glowing eyes scanning the crumbling room. It could feel the shifting power, the ebb and flow of the dungeon's lifeblood. The beast's body pulsed with newfound strength, still adapting to its recent evolution. Jaeho could feel the changes within it—the bond between them had grown stronger than ever, as if they had become more attuned to each other's intentions.
"We did it," Kyra said, wiping a strand of hair from her face. Her usual confidence was tempered by exhaustion, but there was a noticeable glint in her eyes. "The dungeon's heart is destroyed. The energy source is gone."
Jaeho looked around, feeling the stillness begin to take over the chamber. The air was clearing, the oppressive atmosphere lifting like a heavy fog retreating. The dungeon, once a dark, corrupt force, now seemed empty—lifeless. The creatures that had inhabited it were either gone or in disarray. He felt a pang of sorrow for the beasts that had been trapped, corrupted by the dungeon's malevolent influence, but he knew there was nothing more they could do for them.
"We need to leave before the collapse reaches us," Kyra added, her voice strained as she looked toward the exit. The walls of the dungeon were already beginning to crumble further, the once-distant rumblings growing louder by the second.
Jaeho nodded, his mind working quickly. He was still new to dungeons like these, but he knew that once the core was destroyed, the entire system was unstable. He could feel the vibrations in the air—the deep, ominous tremors that signaled the dungeon's final death throes.
He glanced down at his Cursed Beast. The creature was already moving, its wings unfurling in preparation for flight. Without a word, Jaeho followed, Kyra close behind. They sprinted through the collapsing corridors, the sound of falling rubble reverberating in their ears as the dungeon began to implode.
"Jaeho," Kyra called out, her voice cutting through the chaos. "What's your plan now?"
He didn't slow his pace as they neared the exit, his mind still processing the events. What had just happened felt surreal. In a single move, they had brought down a dungeon of immense power, something most adventurers would have avoided, fearing the consequences of facing such a force. Yet, for him, it was just another step. A step toward understanding the depths of his power—and what he could become.
"I'm not sure yet," Jaeho admitted, his voice calm despite the situation. "But one thing's for sure—I need to keep growing stronger."
Kyra shot him a glance, a slight smile tugging at her lips. "You always talk about growing stronger, Jaeho. But what does that really mean for you? What's your end goal?"
Jaeho hesitated. He hadn't really thought about an "end goal" before. He was always so focused on what was in front of him—surviving, leveling up, evolving his beasts. But this question… it gave him pause.
His hand subconsciously brushed against the material in his pocket—the vial containing rare evolution materials he had gathered from his past hunts. The pieces of beasts he had encountered, collected, and now carried with him. He had evolved his Cursed Beast, but it wasn't just about that one creature. It was about the potential to evolve everything around him, his own skills, and his understanding of the world.
"I want to be the best," Jaeho said after a long pause, his gaze ahead of him. "I want to understand the system, understand how it all works. I want to level up to a point where I'm not just a participant in these dungeons but someone who can shape them—someone who can change the world with his power."
Kyra raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but also slightly skeptical. "That's a bold ambition."
"I don't want to be the strongest just for the sake of it," Jaeho continued, his voice steady, "but because I want to change things—become someone who makes a difference."
They reached the exit just as the dungeon's collapse intensified, debris crashing down in the distance. The entrance was ahead, a faint light breaking through the cracks in the stone. Kyra pushed through the final set of doors, and Jaeho followed with his beast by his side. The moment they stepped outside, the earth seemed to settle, and the ground no longer shook beneath them.
The fresh air outside felt almost like a rebirth. The sky was clear, the sun still hanging high above, unaware of the struggle that had taken place beneath the earth. Jaeho exhaled deeply, letting the calm wash over him for a moment. It felt good to be out of that dungeon, but this wasn't the end. It was just the beginning.
"Now what?" Kyra asked, glancing around the unfamiliar terrain. They were a long way from the city.
"We head back," Jaeho replied, his voice more determined than before. "We have a lot to do. We need to regroup, figure out what we learned from this dungeon, and prepare for what's coming next."
Kyra nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I guess we do. But don't think for a second that I'm going easy on you. You've got some growing to do, Jaeho."
He smiled faintly. "I'm counting on it."
As they made their way back toward the nearest city, Jaeho's mind raced with possibilities. The leveling system was still a mystery, but with each step, he felt closer to understanding it. And the creatures he tamed—those he had summoned and evolved—were just the beginning.
With each new battle, he would grow stronger. But more than that, he would unlock the secrets of the system, evolve his beasts to new heights, and become someone who could truly shape his future. The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, Jaeho felt excited about what was to come.
He had only just begun.